Category Archives: Regulation & policy

LSV Taxi Services Meeting Resistance From Traditional Taxis

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In both Tampa, FL and Austin, TX taxi services using low-speed vehicles are bumping into legal and regulatory obstacles as they encroach upon the turf of traditional taxis.  The LSV taxi services are typically offered for free in a limited downtown area but drivers may accept tips and the vehicles sell advertising space on the vehicles.  Local businesses or business associations such as hotels and tourist destinations in the service area may offer support as well.

In Tampa the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission ruled that since tips and advertising revenue were involved the taxi service must be regulated and permitted by the county agency.  This ruling coincides with a similar ruling by a circuit judge regarding the taxi service.

In Austin Capital Cruisers, already in business, and e-Cars, planning to start a taxi service, are waiting for the city council to include LSVs in the local regulations to legalize their use as taxis.  The local transportation commission had recommended such action in the beginning of the year. In the meantime, Capital Cruisers is spending money fighting frequent traffic tickets and other legal battles with the city.

In both cities the local taxi associations are trying to either stop the services from being offered, or at a minimum, have them comply with the similar regulations. Learn more:  TBO.com

Learn more:  ABJentrepreneur.com

Update: A similar issue is occurring in Houston, TX as well with Rev Eco-Shuttle owner Erik Ibarra waiting for the city to pass ordinances and provide permits for his low speed-vehicle taxis.  Learn more:   Swamplot.com

Bad Boy Buggies Recall LSVs For Acceleration Problem

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Bad Boy Enterprises recently announced they were recalling 370 of their 2009-2010 Classic LSVs because of an acceleration problem.  According to reports “…water getting onto the accelerator can cause a voltage surge that will cause the vehicle to accelerate without the pedal being pressed.”  The company has also told the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) that based on what they have seen in these LSVs a fix to an acceleration problem for a previous recall involving 3,900 vehicles will not solve  the problem in those vehicles.  The company is investigating what additional steps may be needed regarded those vehicles.  Learn more:  Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

NEVs Slow To Gain Traction In Korea

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Despite a growing number of local governments designating roads for NEV use, the vehicles have not attracted many buyers.  After Korea passed favorable NEV regulations at the national level earlier this year, 30% of the local government have reported designating local roads for NEV use.  this figure is expected to increase rapidly in the coming months.  However, manufacturers point to a lack of electric vehicle subsidies and recharging infrastructure as reasons for the lack of NEVs purchases to date and a likely persistent obstacle to market growth moving forward.  Learn more:  Koreaherald.com

Insurance Institute Wants To Restrict LSVs

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) wants to restrict the use of LSVs on public roads over concerns about crash safety, or have the government review current LSV safety standards.  Based on results from recent crash tests, the IIHS believes the mixing of LSVs with larger , full-functioning vehicles is a recipe for more serious injuries and deaths in vehicle accidents.

IIHS GEM Crash Test

IIHS crash test simulating a GEM being hit by an SUV

The institute recently conducted a number of crash tests including a GEM e2 simulating a side impact with a SUV traveling at 31 mph, a GEM e2 being impacted by a Smart Fortwo and similar tests with a Changan Tiger Star mini-truck.  The institutes’s position is that crashworthy enough to be on the road with larger, faster vehicles.  At the same time, the group cannot point to evidence of  “…large numbers of people being hurt or dying in such crashes.”   Learn more:  Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Another article on the issue provided some responses from LSV manufacturers.

Chrysler Group responds, “GEM vehicles offer customers an inexpensive, clean solution for low-speed environments and comply with (the NHTSA’s) standards for low-speed vehicles, which limit the maximum speed of the vehicle to 25 mph.”

“It’s a grave generalization to say that all LSVs are simply souped-up golf carts,” says Mike McQuary, CEO of Atlanta-based Wheego Electric Cars, which manufactures the Whip LSV. “The Wheego Whip … is a full-functioning, steel unibody automobile that certainly nobody would ever mistake for a golf cart.”

Learn more:  USAToday.com

Club Car News

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Club Car editorial – The CEO of Club Car, Gary S. Michel recently wrote an opinion piece in the Augusta Chronicle promoting the local manufacturers of golf cars, LSVs and light transportation vehicles (LTVs)  as a “clean and green” industry that can not only help the environment but the economy as well.  He asks for state legislators to help expand the market for these type of vehicles through a variety of government actions.

Specifically, our industry would like to see lawmakers enact legislation that breaks down barriers to the expanded use of electric vehicles. Passage of Senate Bill 519 last month, which would allow LTVs to operate after sunset as long as they met other requirements, was a step in the right direction.

But we also need the legislature to create tax incentives that encourage consumers and businesses to purchase electric vehicles, as well as incentives for manufacturers to create “green” jobs. What’s more, we need increased discussion and coordination between government, education and other business stakeholders to promote innovative ways to expand the use of light transportation vehicles.

Learn more:  Chronicle.augusta.com

Club Car partners with Gary Player – Earlier this month Club Car announced a multiyear marketing agreement with Gary Player and Black Knight International to promote each others brands internationally.

Under terms of the agreement, Black Knight International, which includes  Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, Black Knight Enterprises and The Player Foundation, will work with Club Car to introduce the company’s vehicles, equipment and services at courses and real estate developments where Black Knight is affiliated. Club Car also will develop strategies to promote the company and its golf car and utility vehicle lines through an association with the  Gary Player brand.

Learn more:  Clubcar.com

CT&T Eyes Hawaii For Assembly Plant

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CT&T is working with the governor of Hawaii to build an electric vehicle assembly plant.  According to reports, Oahu is the general location mentioned in the memorandum of understanding signed with the governor.  CT&T reports looking at four potential sites in the area for a facility that will produce up to 10,000 low speed vehicles annually.  The company hopes to have the plant operating in two years.

Hawaii is considered favorable market for LSVs by some people for a number of reasons. The government is pro-green and pro electric vehicle, travel distances are short and the large tourist market would be ideal for rental fleets.  Learn more:  Hawaiinewsnow.com

Comment: Hawaii now joins Pennsylvania and North Carolina as potential locations for assembly plants.  To date none of these plans have come to fruition beyond the early planning stages.  The company was talking about Pennsylvania locations back in September 2009.  A plant with the capacity to produce 10,000 vehicles seems very high for the Hawaiian market and shipping them from Hawaii, at first glance, would appear to be an expensive way to supply other markets.  It remains to be seen if plans for any of these potential plant locations moves to the next stage.

CARB Launches Rebate Program For Electric UTVs For Agriculture

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Earlier this week the California Air Resources Board announced they would start  taking rebate applications for their Agricultural UTV Rebate
Project which targets electric UTVs for agricultural operations.  Eligible vehicles will qualify for a rebate of 15% of MSRP up to $2,500.  Manufacturers currently with models eligible for rebates include Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, Polaris Industries, John Deere and ZAP.  Rebates for models on the eligible list range from $825 to $1,950.

To receive a rebate the purchaser must be classified as a California agricultural operation.  The statewide program is being administered by the San Joquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and has nearly $1 million available for rebates.   Rebates  are given on a first come first serve basis and there is no limit on the number of vehicles for which a purchaser can receive a rebate.  Only new vehicles qualify.

A rough calculation, assuming an average rebate of around $1,600 per vehicle, means over 600 vehicles will be covered by the program.  This would represent a sizable share of the electric UTV market.   Learn more:  Valleyair.org

Smith Electric Vehicles US Wins $22M Grant

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It was recently announced that Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp won a $22 million grant from the US Department of Energy.  The grant will be used to produce more than 500 of the Smith Newton all-electric commercial trucks as part of a demonstration program.  Earlier the company was awarded a $10 million grant.  Learn more:  Reuters.com

Wisconsin Launches UTV Trail Program

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Wisconsin recently enacted a two year pilot program for use of utility vehicles on ATV trails that will run through June 30, 2012.  The legislation requires counties to pass resolutions to opt into the program so many trails are probably not open to utility vehicles as of yet.  Towns within counties may opt out of the program.  Key differences compared to the previous pilot program which ended in 2009 include:

  • Different vehicle specifications, including requirements for factory equipped seatbelts and a roll bar, type device.
  • ATV trails on state and national forest lands may not be participating.
  • UTVs participating in the program will require Public Use – ATV registration, including for non-residents.
  • All ATV laws will apply, except that operators age 16 and born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a DNR ATV Safety Education Course. Operators under age 16 are not allowed to operate a UTV.
  • Driver’s licenses are not required

The program is being administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Learn more:  DNR.wi.gov

Sedona, AZ May Replace Trolleys With NEVs

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A Citizen Review Committee in Sedona, AZ recently presented a plan to the city council to replace the existing trolley system with a fleet of NEVs. Faced with high operating costs and declining ridership the city is looking for ways to improve the transit system. The NEV proposal includes the purchase of eight to ten NEVs that would travel the same routes as the current trolley system, and also offer door-to-door service along the route. The city spent over a million dollars on trolleys for the system while the fleet of NEVs is expected to cost less than $200,000. While many residents and officials are optimistic about the proposal, there is a range of issues besides the capital costs that the city council is concerned about regarding the implementation and operations of an NEV fleet. The proposal will continue to be discussed in the coming months. Learn more: Sedona.biz